Maritime services report Bahamian-flagged ship hit Iranian vessel, injuring five; US Navy reports blocking two Iranian attempt to seize tankers in area

Axios reports US Mideast coordinator Brett McGurk and Iran's top nuke negotiator Ali Bagheri Kan were in Gulf nation at same time, with Muscat officials shuttling between sides

Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's trip comes after his Gulf country helped broker prisoner swap between Iran and Belgium

Gulf state long had closer ties to Jerusalem than its neighbors, but is now likely pushing back against Netanyahu government, trying to placate Iran, experts say

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Tehran ready to negotiate but will alter stance if West doesn't end 'hypocritical and interventionist behavior'

Deal could be complicated by sanctions imposed on Iran; oil field is located in the strategic Strait of Hormuz near the UAE

Oman has helped facilitate back-door diplomacy between the US and Iran; senior visit raises speculation of Oman's future involvement in Vienna negotiations

Officials from crewmen's home countries have met with them as the Stena Impero remains held by Tehran, Stena Bulk says

Meeting between foreign ministers seen as possible effort to diffuse standoff between Tehran and London, after former seized British-flagged tanker in Strait of Hormuz

Country's foreign ministry says the decision comes 'in continuation of the sultanate's support for the Palestinian people'